Joe Riley: Cut overseas aid to pay for snow ploughs

IF, heaven forbid, Crosby coastguard loses out to Belfast in the madcap scheme to reduce such stations from 19 to eight, it will not just mean lives are more in danger, but also that valuable scientific data will be lost.

IF, heaven forbid, Crosby coastguard loses out to Belfast in the madcap scheme to reduce such stations from 19 to eight, it will not just mean lives are more in danger, but also that valuable scientific data will be lost.

Had Crosby already met its fate, who would have known that this week the Merseyside coast was, on two occasions, the coldest place in the entire UK, recording a regional record low temperature of minus 17.6C (or 0.3F in 'old' currency).

Even during the 1962/63 freeze, which admittedly lasted 10 weeks from late December to March, the lowest previous temperature here (then recorded at the old Speke airport) was minus 10C (14F).

The snow depths in Formby, a level 27cm/10.6in) are also exceptional, beaten only by drifted snow in March 1967 and December 1982, when Hightown and other areas were actually cut off.

The other great phenomenon we await is pack ice in the Mersey.

That happened by February 1963. We built an igloo on Crosby beach.

So cheer up, it's not all gloom.

Any doubts, just look at the cheery faces of the kids who are relishing our winter wonderland.

As for paying for more snow and ice clearing equipment, under threats of transport cuts, how about digging into the 'ring-fenced' £3bn overseas aid budget?

Or halting the £1,500 cash bribes to foreign murderers, rapists and other criminals to return home.